The Cleveland Browns are approaching a franchise-defining crossroads at quarterback, and Shedeur Sanders sits squarely at the center of it.
Once projected as a first-round pick, Sanders slid to the fifth round of the NFL draft largely because teams hesitated to carry him as a backup, wary of the attention that would follow if he was not playing.
That concern has resurfaced in Cleveland as the Browns balance on-field evaluation with organizational stability.
Through five starts, his development has not been linear. His completion rate jumped to 69% against Buffalo after registering 51.4% two weeks earlier against Chicago, a tangible sign of progress despite continued losses.
Internally, his command has not gone unnoticed. Head coach Kevin Stefanski pointed to Sanders’ growing authority in the huddle, noting that “He seems to be really taking on that leadership mantle.”
Production, however, paints a harsher picture. Over his last five games, Sanders holds a 73.7 passer rating, lowest among quarterbacks during that span, with a 48.6 grade from Pro Football Focus, ranking 41st out of 41 qualified passers.
He has been sacked 13 times, the sixth-highest total leaguewide over that stretch, underscoring both protection issues and his tendency to extend plays.
With Cleveland sitting at 3-12 and holding the third overall pick, the Browns must soon decide whether Sanders is a long-term answer or another stop in a familiar cycle.
Draft pressure, media gravity, and what comes next
The debate extends beyond numbers. Cleveland has already experienced the consequences of choosing Dillon Gabriel ahead of Sanders, with fan backlash and sustained criticism creating a difficult environment for everyone involved.
On the “Orange and Brown Talk” podcast, Cleveland.com reporter Mary Kay Cabot framed the dilemma clearly, saying Sanders brings “a Tim Tebow-ish effect or that Johnny Manziel effect when the circus came to town,” a reality the organization cannot ignore.
If Cleveland commits to Sanders, the math is simple. The Browns own two first-round picks and could use both to fortify an offense that has struggled along the line and at wide receiver.
Drafting a quarterback early while keeping Sanders would invite constant scrutiny and fractured loyalty, an outcome the franchise has endured before.
Sanders himself has avoided projecting beyond the present.
“I live in the present. I’m focused on this week because nothing’s promised going into next year,” he said, emphasizing control over speculation.
That approach mirrors the Browns’ evaluation window, with two games remaining and additional adversity ahead.
Sanders will face a Pittsburgh defense that is 27-6 against rookie quarterbacks under Mike Tomlin, while adjusting to the loss of running back Quinshon Judkins, who is out after surgery on a fractured fibula and ankle dislocation.
Cleveland’s decision will hinge on whether Sanders’ leadership growth can outweigh his statistical floor, or whether the lure of a fresh start at quarterback becomes impossible to resist.
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